Op-ed debunks kidnapping conspiracy theories
Op-ed by Akram Atallah, columnist for Al-Hayat Al-Jadida
“As Israel has failed to find any lead several days after the Hebron operation (i.e., kidnapping of three Israeli teens), conspiracy theories have begun to appear among the proposed [explanations] for the operation – for two reasons. The first is the helplessness of the Israeli forces and intelligence services, which give the impression of knowing every single detail and how each Palestinian thinks, and what he is thinking about. Yet they have not succeeded in catching the perpetrators, and therefore, there was no operation – for there is nothing these services can’t do. This arises, to a certain degree, from a belief in, and a fear and recognition of, Israeli superiority over Palestinian reason.
The second reason is that our way of thinking when interpreting things is dictated by [our] Arab heritage, a heritage which abounds in theatrical shows, hazardous ventures, lies, killing and disregard for human beings. This [is clear] because the kidnapping of three Arab citizens by some government for an insignificant goal [is considered routine]; and how many Arab citizens have been kidnapped, tortured and have disappeared in Arab countries?
However, those who think this way are not looking closely at Israel’s past, and how the state works – for in Israel, this issue is different, and no one could undertake a plot of such dimensions against Jews, since its discovery would mean, on the internal level, the end of his political career, and would lead to his being tried in court. On the international level, you cannot have hundreds of conversations with the countries of the world, above all the US, ask for [them to take] positions [on the issue], and then tell them it was just candid camera.
In addition, who would be able to assume responsibility for making the Israeli street hold its breath for days, only to have it revealed that it was [the work of] someone who gambled with the feelings of his citizens?
This issue has provoked reactions in the Israeli interior, and huge signs have already been posted at the entrances to the large Israeli cities, with the call, ‘return the kidnapped boys.’ In addition, who will assume responsibility afterwards for the huge amount of money that was wasted during the ongoing search operation?
Three infantry companies are taking part in the search operation on a daily basis, and reservists have been called up. These are all expensive operations for an army that has stopped air sorties because of the financial crisis, and for a state that is having trouble passing the 2015 budget because of austerity and because of fierce disagreements, since it has to trim 18 billion shekels [from the budget].”
Note: On June 12, 2014, Israeli teens Eyal Yifrach, 19, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Naftali Frenkel, 16, were kidnapped while hitchhiking in the West Bank. The boys' bodies were found by Israeli security forces near Hebron on June 30, 2014. They appeared to have been shot to death soon after the abduction.
“As Israel has failed to find any lead several days after the Hebron operation (i.e., kidnapping of three Israeli teens), conspiracy theories have begun to appear among the proposed [explanations] for the operation – for two reasons. The first is the helplessness of the Israeli forces and intelligence services, which give the impression of knowing every single detail and how each Palestinian thinks, and what he is thinking about. Yet they have not succeeded in catching the perpetrators, and therefore, there was no operation – for there is nothing these services can’t do. This arises, to a certain degree, from a belief in, and a fear and recognition of, Israeli superiority over Palestinian reason.
The second reason is that our way of thinking when interpreting things is dictated by [our] Arab heritage, a heritage which abounds in theatrical shows, hazardous ventures, lies, killing and disregard for human beings. This [is clear] because the kidnapping of three Arab citizens by some government for an insignificant goal [is considered routine]; and how many Arab citizens have been kidnapped, tortured and have disappeared in Arab countries?
However, those who think this way are not looking closely at Israel’s past, and how the state works – for in Israel, this issue is different, and no one could undertake a plot of such dimensions against Jews, since its discovery would mean, on the internal level, the end of his political career, and would lead to his being tried in court. On the international level, you cannot have hundreds of conversations with the countries of the world, above all the US, ask for [them to take] positions [on the issue], and then tell them it was just candid camera.
In addition, who would be able to assume responsibility for making the Israeli street hold its breath for days, only to have it revealed that it was [the work of] someone who gambled with the feelings of his citizens?
This issue has provoked reactions in the Israeli interior, and huge signs have already been posted at the entrances to the large Israeli cities, with the call, ‘return the kidnapped boys.’ In addition, who will assume responsibility afterwards for the huge amount of money that was wasted during the ongoing search operation?
Three infantry companies are taking part in the search operation on a daily basis, and reservists have been called up. These are all expensive operations for an army that has stopped air sorties because of the financial crisis, and for a state that is having trouble passing the 2015 budget because of austerity and because of fierce disagreements, since it has to trim 18 billion shekels [from the budget].”
Note: On June 12, 2014, Israeli teens Eyal Yifrach, 19, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Naftali Frenkel, 16, were kidnapped while hitchhiking in the West Bank. The boys' bodies were found by Israeli security forces near Hebron on June 30, 2014. They appeared to have been shot to death soon after the abduction.